Asian Small-Clawed Otter Husbandry Manual (1998)

help alleviate discomfort that may be associated with their presence and for diagnostic purposes. Thecalculus and bladder wall should be cultured both aerobically and anaerobically at the time of surgery.The calculus should be sent to Dr. Carl Osborne at the University of Minnesota Urolith Laboratory foranalysis of composition. At this time there is no charge for the test. A copy of the submission form isincluded at the end of this chapter for your convenience. A copy of the medical report, includinglaboratory work and calculi analysis should be sent to the small-clawed otter veterinary advisor.Prevention:There are several diets that are currently under investigation that may be useful in reducing the incidenceof this disease in Asian small-clawed otters. One is an all-fish diet (Petrini, Treschsel, Wilson, andBergert, 1996) with specific nutrient supplements and the other is a calcium oxalate prevention diet usedin adult cats manufactured by Hill’s (C/D o , Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc, PO Box 148, Topeka, KS 66601-0148). These diets are discussed in the nutrition section of the manual. Any institution wishing totry one of these two diets should contact the veterinary advisor for more details.Other strategies that may be useful:• Increase fluid intake. Make sure fresh water is available at all times. Consider adding extramoisture to the food to increase water intake. When possible, provide warm water (85ºF) forswimming since these tropical animals will spend more time in the water if it is warm, which mayencourage additional water intake.• Minimize dietary intake of oxalate (found primarily in plants) and ascorbic acid.• Provide adequate dietary intake of phosphorus, magnesium, and pyridoxine.• Potassium citrate may be useful for treatment since it both inhibits crystallization and also formscomplexes with calcium, thus reducing calcium oxalate saturation in the urine. Potassium citratealso increases urine pH, which in turn enhances the effect. Levels of 40-75 mg/kg body weighttwice daily have been used in dogs. (Note: The Hill’s diet already contains potassium citrate).• Pyridoxine (10-800 mg per person per day) has been successful in treating some cases ofcalcium oxalate urolithiasis in humans. Levels of 2 mg/kg body with have been suggested fordogs. (Again the Hill’s product contains a higher level of pyridoxine than other pet foods).Note: Any institution interested in using either potassium citrate and/or pyridoxineshould contact the veterinary advisor.Dental diseasePeriodontal disease, fractured teeth, and abscesses are common problems in captive small-clawedotters. Prompt treatment of fractures and abscesses is extremely important. Dental radiographs can aidin diagnosis and help determine a course of action. Endodontic procedures such as root canals andpulpotomies can be performed on diseased teeth following appropriate antibiotic therapy. Alternatively,diseased teeth can be extracted.Animals with periodontal disease should have their teeth regularly cleaned and polished. Antibiotictherapy initiated several days before a dental cleaning and extended for 1-2 weeks following aAsian Small-Clawed Otter Husbandry Manual/Health Care-32-